Harry Kane Ballon d’Or success has ended England’s 25-year wait for the men’s award, with the Bayern Munich striker crowned the world’s leading footballer at a ceremony in his native London on Monday. The 33-year-old attacker got the top individual award – after Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal and France international Kylian Mbappe. Kane’s win came after a stellar campaign where he netted 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country in the run-up to Bayern Munich’s domestic league and cup double.
It was the first time since 2001 that Michael Owen won the prestigious award for an Englishman. He won the trophy and said it was a special honour as he had the chance to play in England and then enjoy London for the occasion. The striker’s achievements represent a huge step towards a career of outstanding goal-scoring form and some heartfelt failures in big matches.
Kane, however, has been denied a Champions League and European Championship haul despite his tally of England’s top goalscoring abilities, and Tottenham Hotspur’s record goal scorer. His 2023 transfer to Bayern Munich was a turning point for him.
Kane claimed that the switch was a “test” for him to improve in the company of new teammates and in a new footballing system, and get to another level of his game. Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas was the sole woman to be named as the winner of the Ballon d’Or, after helping Barcelona to win the Champions League, in the women’s category.
After ruining her career with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, she came back to the top of women’s football. It was a season that was impacted by the serious leg injury to compatriot Aitana Bonmatí, a player who was replaced by Putellas. Yamal also came up trumps with the young talent trophy – but he was third in the men’s race.
